The small frame can take lots of luggage. I haven't tried hard-core offroading, but I do some gravel and dirt paths heavy loaded with 2 big Junior panniers (40L each) and I haven't had any issue whatsoever.

I really still think it depends on the expected purpose for this V7 Stelvio NTX type bike.

If it's for the type of riding Rocker shows in the pictures above, I'd be more inclined to look for bikes like James Adams showed in his picture on Page 237, Post #3553. Call them 90 (off-road)/10 (on-road) bikes -- street legal motorcross bikes that can be used (in a pinch) for back woods camping trips with strap-on bags and bungee cords. I saw a lot of those at the AdvRiders West Fest in Darby, MT in '11. Most were either owned/ridden by somewhat local people or came in on trailers.

If, on the other hand, the expected purpose is something similar to the NTX but lighter in weight, then IMO, that's a different bike. That's more an 90 (on-road)/10 (off-road) bike where the off-road stuff is not quite as "rough". That bike will be more robust, designed for sustained highway speeds, have more permanent luggage carrying capability, more rider protection from the elements and will be larger/longer for possible two-up riding. As a result it will be heavier. It will probably be up close to the Quota, which I think is in the 550# range.

Last, for calibration purposes, the Trax rear cases on my NTX weigh 11# each, add ~4# each for mounting, total for the system ~30#. Center stand ~20#.

(rear drive is from the Tonti California on both of these, with a custom swingarm).

The swingarm pivots on these bikes are obscured by the riders' feet - but they do not pivot on the gearbox hosing like the standard small-blocks do - there's a chunky extension to the frame in that area!
The rear drive can be from any Tonti-framed Guzzi, not just the California - and there are a variety of crown-wheel & pinion ratios available for them too. However, the rear drives are HEAVY - and it's unsprung mass too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by espi

correct me if I'm wrong, but 21" front & 18" rear....
or would it be better for most to be 19" front & 17" rear..

Yep, the original 650 TT & NTX models had 21/18" and they worked well; as of now, getting tyres isn't an issue; 19/17" just makes the bike less dirt-worthy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikonoklass

The 2012 appears to be on par power-wise with my 2005 GS. I would want a bit more.

Whatever for? Are you of, ahem, "Generous proportions" or do you regularly tote a tame hippo and her luggage interstate? Perhaps you'd more usefully consider a Ford F350 turbo-diesel instead?
The standard Stelvio can cruise at well over 100 mph all day long (you do have speed limits where you live, right?) and has enough power that if you bothered, you'd be spinning the wheel well into fifth gear on dirt: all that achieves is a waste of rear tyres, a cloud of dust for your riding buddies and means you arrive at the scene of the crash first.

__________________
"I would like to die on Mars; just not on impact." Elon Musk

Whatever for? Are you of, ahem, "Generous proportions" or do you regularly tote a tame hippo and her luggage interstate? Perhaps you'd more usefully consider a Ford F350 turbo-diesel instead?
The standard Stelvio can cruise at well over 100 mph all day long (you do have speed limits where you live, right?) and has enough power that if you bothered, you'd be spinning the wheel well into fifth gear on dirt: all that achieves is a waste of rear tyres, a cloud of dust for your riding buddies and means you arrive at the scene of the crash first.

Morbid obesity isn't a reason for more horse power. I'm "generously proportioned" so that with gear and luggage I'll exceed the payload capacity of my bike slightly. But even limited to 25kW (thats 34bhp) that's plenty to break our national speed limit to a degree that I'd instantly lose my license. And while I agree that overtaking is a chore if you are fat and burdened with that lack of power, 100bhp is plenty to undertake the most stupid of overtaking maneuvers.

Just had to post. Despite it being cold today, I jumped on the Stelvio for a ride. I hadn't ridden in about two weeks because I was out of town. All I did was just some running around...beyond a couple errands, I had no particular destination in mind.

I love my Stelvio. Fun, comfortable, it sounds great, it handles well, it's stable at speed, and it never fails to generate a conversation when I stop. Just a fantastic bike!

Has anyone seen the new issue of RoadRunner magazine? There is a Burnt Orange Stelvio on the cover....

__________________"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington

__________________"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." -- George Washington